Important Updates to MSC – Effective July 1, 2018

Posted on January 24, 2018January 25, 2018

Exciting changes are coming to how Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) will be provided and received in New York State. Effective July 1, 2018, the MSC department at AIM Services is expected to transition to a newly formed model of service provision, known as a Care Coordination Organization (CCO). MSCs will become known as Care Managers, and supports will be added to achieve a holistic and integrated approach to meeting each unique person’s full range of needs.

The new service model has been created to address a Federal requirement that mandates MSC to be provided as “Conflict Free Case Management.” In order to comply with federal regulations/guidance, OPWDD has agreed to restructure the delivery of Medicaid Service Coordination and PCSS to meet these standards. This means that the organization providing MSC (soon to be Care Management) must be separate from any agency providing OPWDD Home and Community Based Waiver Services. This will affect all MSC providers across New York State and will feature additional health care and wellness related supports.

AIM is partnering with local MSC agencies to form a limited liability corporation known as Capital North Cares, LLC. Capital North Cares, LLC will be joining Care Design NY (one of the developing CCO’s) in the transition to Care Coordination. AIM is committed to advocacy and efforts to ensure that high quality service delivery carries forward into the new model. Our MSCs are expected to transition to employment with Care Design NY on or about July 1, 2018. We are choosing to partner with Care Design NY because they value our input to bring forth the same person-centered framework that we all believe in. We are working hard to make this transition from MSC to Care Coordination go as smoothly as possible for you, your family members and your MSCs. Our goal is for you to continue to work with your current MSC as we move forward to the new structure. We also want to reassure you that there will not be any disruption to your other Medicaid-funded services (i.e. day habilitation, residential, community habilitation, supported employment, etc.) as a result of the shift to Care Coordination.